Title: Emotion
Summary: Harry just doesn't feel anymore…can one of his best friends solve this problem? Three part HPHG
Disclaimer: Don't own it, never will.
A/N: Well, here is Part Two! Only one more left! Enjoy…
Part Two: Tonight
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Harry gazed intently into the golden liquid before him swirling around in its bottle. Iridescent; flickering several shades from the color spectrum; reflecting the afternoon light into a rainbow on the nearest stone wall of the Three Broomsticks.
He never really took the time to actually look at Butterbeer before.
Harry raised the glass bottle to his lips and took a swig; gazing blankly at the three people sitting at his table. Ron and Lavender were playfully bantering with each other, and something that Hermione had interjected had turned Ron's face impossibly red; Lavender was laughing hysterically though.
Harry's eyes wondered over to the windows. For the most part, it was a pretty nice day. A bit on the chilly side, but nonetheless sunny. There were many Hogwarts students on the roads of the town, entering and exiting the pub.
His interest was waning, so he took to tracing the patterns on the wooden table with his finger. He heard someone distantly calling his name, he lifted his head and noticed Hermione tapping him on the shoulder, "Harry," she repeated.
"Hmm?" he asked.
"Ron and Lavender are going to go to the twins' shop. Is that okay?"
"Yea, sure," he answered.
Ron broke out in a happy grin as he grabbed Lavender's hand leading her towards the door, "Bye, mate!" he called. Wow, Ron was excited, wasn't he?
"Why's he so eager to see Fred and George?" Harry asked Hermione.
"He's a family member—fifty percent discount," Hermione smiled, "Although I suppose the twins will be regretting that, seeing as how excited Ron was…"
Harry nodded his head, returning his attention to the table.
Hermione sat oddly still next to him. The prolonged silence was beginning to grow a little uncomfortable. Well, at least for Hermione. She fidgeted with her hands a bit before she cleared her throat and said, "Um, Harry, w-would you like to go to any of the shops? I mean ,well, seeing as how you seem to be just sitting there and all; I thought maybe we could actually go do something," she rushed, Harry raised an eyebrow at her strange behavior, Hermione flushed, "That is unless you want to stay here a bit longer—we could just order another drink and…"
Harry stood up and said, "Come on, Hermione, your choice." He even added a half hearted trademark lop sided smile into the mix, he didn't really want to hurt his friends more than he had already.
But he didn't realize what his first smile in months did to his best friend. He didn't notice her cheeks grow pink or her eyes light up with a happy glow—almost filling with tears. For if he had, Merlin only knows if that smile just might have turned real.
Merlin only knows…
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Dinner rolled around. Hundreds of Hogwarts students clad in midnight black robes were seated at four different long wooden tables, happily eating their warm meal with their friends, talking and laughing.
It wasn't any different at the Gryffindor table—oh no; not at all. Loud voices and rowdy laughter emitted from that very table as well. There were few who weren't partaking in the joy that was—well a post-Hogsmeade trip.
Confetti and candy were being strewn about, florescent objects spinning and twirling; spewing many odd sounds and noises. Ron was amusing himself with a particularly dangerous looking mini replica of a Griffin. The said replica was constantly chasing after a poor fourth year girl's golden braids. Ron was doubled over in laughter as his new miniature pet dove into Seamus's soup with a loud 'splash'; spraying the Irishman's dinner on rather than inside of him.
Hermione rolled her eyes and pursed her lips into a thin line as she watched her friend's childish antics.
Honestly!
Why couldn't Ron be more like—more like Harry?
Harry…
The brown haired girl shifted her gaze to her other best friend. She frowned at the sight before her. He was yet again keeping to himself as he ate his dinner. Harry always seemed to be in some sort of daze lately—and to be truthful—she was awfully worried about him.
Depression, she would expect; even anger she could deal with. But Harry claimed to be emotionless, and that definitely astonished her. How could anyone be…without emotion? When she thought of unfeeling—uncaring people; she thought of cold and detached prats.
Well, to be more specific, she thought of Malfoy.
But she knew that her Harry was in there somewhere, he had to be! Every once in a while, she'd see that old familiar sparkle in his eyes; disappearing as fast as it occurred. Occasionally, she'd see a hint of hilarity or even irritation on his features—but then it was gone in the blink of an eye; making one wonder if it was only their imagination.
Hermione wished so hard that it wasn't just a wishful figment of her mind. She wanted the Harry she knew back. She wanted the Harry she loved back…
And she was determined to get him back.
Somehow.
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Let's see...bluebell roots cause tranquility…um, what else could be in that stupid potion? Thank you very much, Severus Snape, for this. How am I supposed to know what else goes in the concoction? I only know everything there is to know about bluebell roots.
Dreamless sleep…dreamless sleep…dreamless sleep…dreamless sleep…
Dreams…stories…fantasy…um…protection against dreams?
"Hey, Hermione?" Harry asked, lifting his eyes up from his potions essay.
Hermione was bent over a long piece of parchment, biting the end of her quill as her eyebrows furrowed; a frown of deep thought. She seemed to jump at his soft words. She looked up at him, "Hmm?"
"I don't know what goes in the dreamless sleep potion, let alone their properties…"
A scowl flashed across her face. "But I finished that ages ago, don't tell me you still haven't done it!"
"Obviously."
"Oh fine! Just because I'm your best friend, I'm not always going to be around to give you the answers to problems, you know."
"I know."
"Okay, well bluebell roots, naturally...puts you to sleep…Shredded holly—lowers distress level, powdered hazel thorns and the ancient rune 'Algiz' for protection, Yew sap for potency…Oh, and crushed sugar cane."
"Sugar? What, does it give you 'sweet' dreams or something?"
"Don't be thick, Harry. It's for the taste." Hermione smiled and returned to her writing.
Harry shrugged and wrote down just that.
Hermione rolled up the parchment and placed it inside of her school bag.
Harry felt as if someone was watching him. Instinctively, he lifted his head to meet a pair of chocolate brown eyes. Hermione was staring at him yet again with that same indistinguishable expression. "Harry?" she asked in a soft voice.
"Yeah?" he answered.
"Will you promise me something?"
"Depends."
"Promise me that I'll get my best friend Harry back. Promise me that after all of this, I'll see my loving, caring Harry who participates in Ron's childish actions. Promise me that someday; we'll get you back forever."
Confusion was written all over his face.
Hermione looked down for a second before taking a shaky breath. "Promise me, that the innocent, charming, fiery Harry who stole my heart will return, promise me."
Harry's mouth slightly opened in mild shock.
What?
Hermione leaned forward and softly gave him a tender kiss. As they broke away from each other slowly, the portrait of the Fat Lady was swung open with force, a loud 'thud' being heard as it slammed against the castle wall.
Every head in the common room jolted up to see what was going on. Harry and Hermione included.
His eyes widened when he saw his former Professor sprinting toward him frantically. Remus Lupin, a werewolf, was known for his quiet nature—even in his school days he chose to remain in James' and Sirius's shadow. But the older man, with his graying brown hair mussed, his brown eyes practically shouting urgency, and his paling complexion—Harry knew.
He just knew.
He didn't bother to listen to the information that Remus was about to shout at him—Harry quickly shot to his feet; grabbing his wand as he scrambled over to Remus.
The older man appraised him for a moment, his golden brown eyes showing depths of regret—regret for Harry himself, this he knew. "Hermione! Ron! Come with me and Harry! Quickly now!" he yelled in a booming voice that greatly sounded unlike him.
Harry observed the apprehension of the situation dawn on their faces. Harry felt a blast of emotion spill into him. He physically felt as if he were about to stumble backwards from the sheer unfamiliarity of it.
It felt as if billions and billions of butterflies were flying rapidly in his stomach; searching for a way out. He felt his heart beat speed up; it was so fast that he could have sworn others could hear it. He felt as if all of the blood was rushing out of his body as he stood there, watching his friends leap to their feet; and he knew.
He was afraid.
He was afraid…
Tonight was the night where the rest of his story was told; tonight was the night of his demise—or of his rebirth as a free man.
And all he wanted to do was crawl back into his unfeeling shell; he felt so exposed and vulnerable without it.
But then another all too familiar feeling seared through his veins as the four of them practically ran to Dumbledore's office. As his heart rapped frantically against his chest; he gripped his wand tightly; his knuckles turning white.
He thought of Hermione; thought of how his messed up life had strained her mentally and physically. He thought of how unfair this was to everyone who loved him. For, the contract with Harry Potter was written in bold black letters, 'Love me and you die.'
But he wasn't going to let that happen, not with her.
Tonight was the night…
That he was going to kill that twisted son-of-a-bitch.
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Normalcy is unknown to me;
I'm used to the whispers and stares.
Knowing your future dampens the ride,
And makes things only bland.
But what happens when 'the' day has come?
What happens if I'm afraid?
What happens when I lose control?
What happens now, please tell me.
The answer may be simple,
The solution could be complex.
Tonight is the night I seal my fate,
Hoping to see another sunrise…
With you…
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hollyg20: Thanks so much for the review! I hope you liked Part Two. Part Three will be posted shortly :)
chica91: Thank you! Please tell me what you thought of Part Two :D
xprettyxinxblackx: I wrote more :D I'm glad you liked it!
Bekah Tahiri Solo BTS: Really? Many, many thanks for your review!
I wanted to get Part Two uploaded before the weekend, because I knew if I didn't, then it wouldn't be up until next week… so I hope you liked it! Yay! They kissed! Sorry about the abrupt interruption, though—really, I am! Although, the next and final part of this story is titled 'Emotion' and one can only wonder what will transpire…hehehe. I'll try to have it up by next week, though, in the mean time, review!
♥ Much love,
Midnight Ryder